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Professor Adam Balen, Chair of the British Fertility Society (BFS) responded to this news:

“HEFA’s decision to grant the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life a licence to offer mitochondrial donation marks a historical step toward eradicating genetic diseases. Scientists in Newcastle have led the way on this groundbreaking research which will help families to overcome mitochondrial disease.

“Mitochondrial DNA is only inherited from mothers and women can be at risk of passing this DNA onto their children. Preventing this transmission by using eggs donated from a healthy woman will allow women carrying the mutations to give birth to children free of the disease.”